Shorewood considers mandatory hookups for new homes and a city-led water connection program

At a July 28 work session the Shorewood City Council reviewed staff proposals to require new or fully reconstructed homes to connect to municipal water where service is immediately available and discussed a proposed City-organized connection and assessment program to streamline hookups and financing.

Planning Director Griffiths said staff drafted code language after Council direction at the June 9 meeting; the intent is to require connection when the watermain is adjacent to or within the right-of-way in front of the property. The draft language defines when water service is "immediately available," and staff expects to return with the ordinance for a public hearing likely on Sept. 8, 2025.

Councilmember Maddy asked about scenarios where a watermain exists but no stub is present at the property line; City Engineer Budde said the draft treats the presence of the watermain as making service immediately available and that property owners without an existing service would be required to install a new service as part of the construction project. Budde estimated that creating a new tap on an active main — a situation that may require shutting the line or additional work — could cost around $15,000; he said the City would provide a $10,000 connection credit in such cases.

Budde also outlined a potential City‑led organized connection program and assessment option discussed at the June 9 meeting. The proposal would allow the City to offer a streamlined estimate and contracting approach and assess full connection costs to the benefiting property. Staff presented a placeholder cost to produce a site‑specific pricing estimate of roughly $2,000 (Council called that figure high and asked staff to refine it). Budde said assessment interest rates would vary year to year and are typically about 2% above the City’s bonding costs.

Councilmembers Gorham and Mayor Labadie said they preferred a city‑wide outreach approach rather than pilot neighborhoods to build momentum and awareness across the community. Councilmember DiGruttolo and others expressed concern that a $2,000 nonrefundable assessment cost could deter participation; several members suggested the City consider a reduced down payment or subsidy to encourage homeowners to get an estimate. The Council asked staff to refine cost assumptions and consider partial subsidies while avoiding providing free engineering services broadly.

The Council also reviewed an informational table on municipal water policy options and discussed a proposed infrastructure fee that staff has placed as a placeholder for implementation in 2027 to allow further analysis and public discussion. Council directed staff to return with refined cost estimates, outreach plans (mailers, repeat notices, flyers with QR codes at events), and a public hearing timeline for the proposed code amendment.

Next steps: staff will refine cost estimates for tapping and organized connection services, provide a more precise analysis of the $2,000 pricing placeholder, and return to Council including scheduling the public hearing expected Sept. 8, 2025.